Remembering Hurricane Katrina & The People We Lost in New Orleans

 I would like to conclude on a positive note, Lafayette, having been spared from Katrina’s calamity, in a matter of days grew to the 2nd most highly populated city in Louisiana. We couldn’t have survived had it not been for the loving generosity of our countrymen from coast to coast. I will always remember and be grateful for the American men, women, and children who gave what they could and gave of themselves. And for the bravery of our Coast Guard and other government personnel who were sent, and also came of their own accord, from all over the U.S., those charity organizations like the Red Cross, Salvation Army, and Habitat for humanity, and the vast waves of religious groups who managed logistical problems that would overwhelm some countries militaries. I also want to mention our international neighbors. The help that we received from people across the globe answered the question that we often ask in the U.S., does the world care when we fall down? Arabs and Jews, Asians from north, east, south, and west, Europeans, Canadians, Aussies and New Zealanders, Africans, Central and South Americans, poor countries, countries dealing with their own disasters, and even those who we have claimed to be our enemies, offered or gave money, medicine, and man power. Acts like yours maintain the momentum of humanity, thank you all.